Antecedentes

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is a group of leading development experts dedicated to empowering UNDP Country Offices and UN Country Teams with knowledge, tools, and innovative solutions to address development challenges. BDP informs and influences the global policy debate on an inclusive and sustainable future, and advances policy coherence across the UN system.

BDP Directorate is seeking a Communications and Outreach Consultant to support BDP senior management on media outreach and writing support responding to what is anticipated to be a higher-than-usual demand for such services in the coming months.

Deberes y responsabilidades

SCOPE OF WORK
  • Support BDP senior management on communications and media outreach to raise the profile of UNDP priority policy areas, including follow-up on Rio+20 and the Post-2015 development agenda.
  • Expand contacts with traditional print, audio-visual, and social media outlets to enhance coverage of the Bureau’s priority areas of work;
  • Identify opportunities to advance UNDP’s policy perspective in the public domain, and place articles and blogs, and seek and facilitate interviews with BDP senior management, working closely with UNDP’s Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy;
  • Support BDP Directorate in enhancing internal BDP communications capacity and knowledge sharing.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
  • Develop a short to medium term communications plan for the BDP Director to enhance the profile of UNDP’s strategic policy perspectives in the public domain;
  • Organize press conferences; facilitate interviews with BDP management and experts, and place content via international press outlets; 
  • Establish close working relations with the media (national, regional and international); 
  • Draft, edit and disseminate blogs, press releases, statements, speeches, media advisories, fact-sheets, press/media kits and updated information for BDP senior management providing quality assurance;
  • Develop clear, consistent and timely responses to media inquiries working closely with UNDP’s Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy;
  • Strengthen internal capacity for communications and media outreach.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant will work with the BDP Directorate team, under the supervision of BDP’s Knowledge Services Associate, and will liaise with counterparts in the Office of Communications and relevant staff in UNDP in conducting their duties. The consultancy is office-based in New York. There will be no relocation indemnity. There may be telecommuting options to be agreed in consultation with the supervisor in line with work demands.

Competencias

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Proven experience and understanding of communications and outreach at the international level;
  • Demonstrated ability to build and nurture strong relations with the media;
  • Ability to develop/implement effective communications; focus on impact and results for the client;
  • Demonstrated experience with social media and other multimedia tools;
  • Outstanding oral and written communications skills, with proven ability to meet tight deadlines;
  • Proven ability to position issues effectively, both orally and in writing;
  • Very strong organizational and planning skills with very effective multi-tasking skills;
  • Familiarity with UNDP/UN system and development issues;
  • Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with clients and partners;
  • Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization, including senior management; 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to take initiative and be innovative.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:        

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in a development-related area of study, communications, journalism or international relations.

Experience:        

  • At least 3 years work experience in development in support of a policy-making body, an international organization or from a scientific or publishing environment.
  • Strong familiarity with areas of focus of UNDP’s development policy, previous experience with UNDP, or previous experience with another UN agency is highly desirable.
  • Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in partnership development, communications, publishing and media relations;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Powerpoint, etc.).

Language:        

  • Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other UN working languages is an asset.